Tea Party leader ‘stung’ by photo of him holding racist sign

The Daily Beast reports today that conservative activist Dale Robertson, who runs TeaParty.org, is being “stung” by a February 2009 photograph in which he’s shown holding a sign that reads “Congress = Slaveowner, Taxpayer = (N word).”

I’m not sure what the sign means. If anything, it sounds inane. But use of that inflammatory word can’t be good for any cause. Take a look at the photo here.

The Tea Party’s almost all-white movement will have a hard time shaking off charges of racism, especially has it comes from one of its leaders. A member of the Houston Tea Party Society (where Robertson was at the time) tells the Washington Independent that Robertson was removed from the event because of the sign’s content. That’s offers little in the way of explanation or contrition.

African American, Latino and other activists see more of a threat in the veiled racist slogan of “taking back America” as employed by Tea Party leaders. While President Obama used such words in his campaign to signify a return to ethics, democratic ideals and pragmatism and away from special interests, the Tea Party turned the phrase on its head. At worst, it points directly to the president’s race.

As another incident in Plains, Ga., shows that racism continues to brew in America, the Tea Party is going about its business of organizing “Liberty Concerts.” The Tea Party says they’ll offer “a venue designed to be the key to create a model for our nation to Take Back America.” And Robertson will be among them.